work to answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work to answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the effort or process involved in providing a response or solution to a question or problem. Example: "The team will work to answer all the inquiries submitted by the clients by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Phrased this way, it insists on truth – and you have to work to answer it.

The Guardian - Music

EPS faculty, fellows, and students work to answer challenging questions about our world.

Harvard University

Your gift to the BCCP will support work to answer these questions, and many more.

University of California, Berkeley

I've decided to use the summer to regroup, mentally and physically, and slowly work to answer this question.

The New York Times

Some people are not unco opdrative but do not want to stop work to answer ques tions.

The New York Times

"The fact that I am interrupting serious work to answer these questions," Hemingway says, "proves that I am so stupid that I should be penalized severely".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

That's a question we are still working to answer.

Nature

Earth Institute researchers are working to answer these questions.

Columbia University

Dr Peter Joshi, a scientist at the University of Edinburgh, is working to answer that question.

The Times

Hare and others worked to answer the question: What are human rights?

Yale University

The PoP project is working to answer this question in two contexts.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs than "work" if the context requires emphasis on dedication or determination, such as "strive", "endeavor", or "dedicate".

Common error

Avoid using "work to answer" in every context. Sometimes, a more direct verb like "answer", "resolve", or "clarify" can make your writing more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work to answer" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the reason or intention behind an action. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts where effort is being directed toward resolving a question or problem.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work to answer" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express the intention and effort directed towards resolving a question or problem. According to Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in academic and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. While "work to answer" is valid, writers should consider more precise verbs or phrases to avoid overusing "work" and to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "endeavor to resolve" or "strive to clarify" may be suitable depending on the nuance desired. While not the most common phrase, it is appropriate and understood in a variety of professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavor to resolve

This alternative replaces "work" with "endeavor" and "answer" with "resolve", focusing on a determined attempt to find a solution.

strive to clarify

This phrase replaces "work" with "strive" and "answer" with "clarify", emphasizing the effort to make something clear or understandable.

make an effort to respond

This alternative uses a more descriptive structure, highlighting the effort involved in providing a response.

undertake to explain

This phrase substitutes "work" with "undertake", suggesting a formal commitment to provide an explanation.

dedicate time to solve

This alternative emphasizes the commitment of time to find a solution, replacing "answer" with "solve".

exert effort to address

This phrase uses "exert effort" in place of "work", conveying a more forceful application of energy to tackle the question.

focus on elucidating

This alternative uses "focus on" and replaces "answer" with "elucidating", stressing the act of making something clearer and easier to understand.

concentrate on replying

This phrase replaces "work" with "concentrate on" and "answer" with "replying", focusing on giving a direct response.

set out to unravel

This alternative suggests a determined start to disentangle a complex question, using "set out" instead of "work" and "unravel" instead of "answer".

apply oneself to resolving

This phrase is a more formal way of saying to dedicate oneself to finding a resolution or answer.

FAQs

How can I use "work to answer" in a sentence?

You can use "work to answer" to describe an ongoing effort to find a solution or explanation. For example, "The research team will "work to answer" the complex questions posed by the data."

What are some alternatives to "work to answer"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "strive to clarify", "endeavor to resolve", or "make an effort to respond".

When is it more appropriate to use "answer" directly instead of "work to answer"?

Use "answer" directly when the focus is on the outcome or the solution itself, rather than the process of finding it. Use ""work to answer"" when you want to emphasize the effort and ongoing nature of the process.

What is the difference between ""work to answer"" and "try to answer"?

"Work to answer" implies a more sustained and dedicated effort, while "try to answer" suggests a less intensive attempt. The former is suitable when the question is complex and requires considerable effort.